Triumph Tiger Sport

Kevin Ash

Triumph has unveiled the keenly awaited Tiger Sport, and the changes have been much more extensive than expected, including a single-sided swingarm and an extra 10bhp!

The bike has been given a sportier edge to move it away from the Tiger Explorer in Triumph's range, with most of the emphasis being on enhanced performance and sharper looks, although the changes have also improved its all-rounder capabilities. In particular its luggage carrying capacity has increased substantially.

The Tiger Sport is based on the previous Tiger 1050, and while the look is recognisably the same, much of the bodywork is new and now includes a bellypan as well as the new tail unit and side panels. The much-criticised projector headlights have been replaced with four conventional reflector types, which not only reduce weight, Triumph claims their performance is much better too. Makes you wonder why the projectors were used in the first place... The screen is also new, changing the look and according to Triumph, improving the aerodynamics too.

The engine is unchanged internally and gains its extra power from completely redesigned intake and exhaust systems, with increases in torque across the range. It now makes 123bhp (125PS), 9kW) and 77lb.ft (10.4kgm, 104Nm). Revisions to the fuel injection calibration have additionally improved the economy, with Triumph claiming the bike will typically travel around 7 per cent further on a tank of fuel. Triumph also says even the growling triple soundtrack has been enhanced, and if it the improvement is anything like the 2013 Daytona 675's (full test here) then it'll be worth a ride just for that.

The swingarm is a single-sided design - unique to the Tiger Sport and not taken from the Speed Triple as suggested elsewhere - which probably does little in practice to help the handling but it looks good and does provide more room to tuck in the exhaust system and create space for the larger optional panniers. These are not only much bigger than before, their payload has doubled to 10kg (22lb) each, thanks to a new, stronger rear subframe.

The subframe is responsible for ergonomic changes, lowering the rider seat by 5mm to 830mm, although it's narrower at the front than before which will also improve the reach to the ground. The rear seat has been lowered by a greater amount so the passenger isn't perched so high above the rider - the grab rails have been improved too. The handlebars are narrower, lower and closer to the rider to give a more sports-oriented riding position, while the switchgear is Tiger Explorer style, meaning it's now possible to scroll through the dash functions from the left handlebar, rather than having to lean forward to do so.

The frame is the same as before but the steering angle is half a degree steeper and the wheelbase is slightly longer, changes which Triumph claim have improved precision and stability. The suspension is fully adjustable and has been given new springs and revalved damping for a firmer feel and to cope with the additional load capacity.

The brakes are fitted with a new ABS system (the previous Tiger was one of the first Triumphs ever to use ABS and still had the same ageing system in 2012, so this was an overdue revision). Radially-mounted callipers are fitted at the front. The wheels are new and unique to the Tiger Sport and come with Pirelli's new Angel GT tyres.

Triumph has been paying a lot of attention to detail on its recent new models and the Tiger Sport appears to have had this too, coming with coloured seat stitching, cast aluminium pannier mounts and apparently some 'beautifully sculpted footrests', although we can't see those in the initial images.

The two colours available are red or white. Prices will be announced in February and bikes will become available in March this year.

Nice one. Ticks all the boxes. Cast wheels. Proper rubber. Nimble and fun. Will i buying one? No - as i waited with baited breath for a release in November and there was no sign of it, i took my money to Bologna and bought a MTS12.
Good result Triumph marketing..

Eagerly awaited and ticks just about all the boxes......BUT....high level end pipe means no throw over bags and you lose a fair ammount of storage from the off-side case.Will definately road test and compare with the KTM SMT.....it's sure to be priced to sell...the lump is 8 years old now and I believe struggling to make the next Euro emmisions nonsense.

...the lump is 8 years old now and I believe struggling to make the next Euro emmisions nonsense.

A good point about the throwovers, I'll see what they say at the press launch (assuming I'm invited, I hate to be presumptuous...). But then an adventure bike with a low level exhaust would be odd too. Not so sure about the engine struggling though, when engines get near to their emissions limits, achieving good power starts to become an issue, but Triumph has just squeezed another 10bhp out of this without changing it internally, it's only got new intake and exhaust systems.

OH, Bee-Geez, I traded in my Tiger1050 for T800! I'll video the scene with my dealer for you guys...'No really, I've barely ridden it! Just take it back, you'll sell it in a day and the Sport in red and how much money have I spent in this place, remind me?" Ya think they'll go for it? Oh course, I've had to replace the suspension on the T800, so its not exACTly stock...

Seriously, I loved my T1050, and this looks like what it should've been all along. A very comfortable, and it is, rangy sport bike with that fun as can be triple. Looks very nice from here in nyc.

I sure thought the 1050 was going to be retired. I have an 09 1050 and I love it. I've thought about switching bikes but I can't part with my Tiger. It handles everything I throw at it. This new bike is meant for asphalt only so it doesn't shake my tree. I still take mine down gravel & dirt roads and it is fine. This bike will be a great all around bike to commute and take on long hops with the larger panniers. The 1050 already had plenty of power even with fully loaded. It is also rock solid in bad weather. This bike should be considered if you are looking at the Explorer check this 1050 out, it is quite a bit lighter.

Sorry to be a pooper but it sounds like the Tiger is still a way behind the KTM SMT in the Tall Rounder category. But I'll be interested to see if I'm wrong when the magazines do their comparison tests in the months to come. Won't be the first time :)

The Caponord should become available around March so we'll be hearing more about it closer to then. Hard to say with pricing as we don't have prices for either the Tiger Sport or the Caponord - I suspect the Aprilia will be a little more, but it won't be. The Tiger Sport has gained 7kg compared with the old Tiger 1050, which will be due to the heavier rear subframe and the single-sided swingarm, but it does seem to have ABS as standard too, which will account for some of that.

The two bikes make similar peak power but the Aprilia will likely have more torque at low revs, if only because it's 150cc bigger. Triumph dealers have a better reputation than Aprilia ones though, and Triumph's record of spares and support is much better, that will make a difference.

Back to the exhaust question,Kev..... If it is primarily focussed on the asphalt market ,then an exhaust similar to the M/S ticks all the boxes...mass central and throw-over friendly. I tour Europe 2 up every summer on a 1050 ST with throwovers, but I scratch every summer weekend in the West Highlands and I have removed all the gubbins from the ST which attatch the panniers. It looks a lot cleaner IMHO. Ask trumpet if the exhaust from the current Speed triple would fit? SIMPLES !

From what I gather the lids and fittings are the same but as you imply, the back section is different, certainly on the right one. But it's still big enough for a large full face helmet in each pannier, so the volume doesn't suffer too badly by the sound of it.

Well I for one am disappointed with the new Tiger. I have owned two now including a 1050, and although I am sure this will be a better bike, it still falls short of the current trend. I.e. more power and more electronics, esa dtc etc. I live on really shitty and varying roads and could actually use this tech. But no, they havent added it.

Also I was hoping for triumph to put the speed triple engine in with its 133bhp. But no, they haven't.

Whilst it might have an extra 10bhp this is largley offset by an increase of 7kg in kerb weight, which is now a porky 235kg! So for me 10bhp isn't enough.

I see triumph have been coming out with loads of new bikes of late including the Daytona 675, Street triple of which i have owned both, and are both cracking bikes. But you would have thought triumph would have put more effort into the tiger, as i guess, and it is a guess, the tiger would have a bigger market share than the D675.
But perhaps i am wrong.....

Oh well i will be off to Ducati and looking at the Hyperstrada instead. I know it has 13bhp less, but it is also a whopping 31kg lighter, and has DTC,ABS etc!!! I am also guessing the prices aren't going to be far apart either.

The Triumph rep at the NYC motorcycle show told me today that this bike won't be available in the states, as Triumph does not want to "dilute" the pool of new Tigers in the US with too many choices. I myself love the looks of it, and would love to see it here. Does anyone know what the alternator output will be for heated gear? That's one thing the new adventure Tigers are doing better than the rest. I did sit on a Multistrada today at the show, and it was more comfortable than either the 800XC or the Explorer; the price was something else again! The new Trophy was sure sweet, however. The new Honda CB1100 was a great looking bike, and it felt really small and light after coming off the Explorer and the 800XC.

I managed to wrangle a ride on my local dealer's demo bike (It had just 2 miles on it when I got my hands on it) for some 100 miles or so.

I have to say that I was impressed and one can feel the effects of the shorter gearing. Whether this is better than the gearing on the ST and GT is a matter for debate however I did really enjoy the bike.

My only snag is that I don't hink it's worth an extra £1500 over the price of a new GT. A shame really as it's a cracking machine.

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